Oktoberfest Boulder and other Boulder-area events Sept. 21, 2018

Many cities in Colorado have hosted large-scale Oktoberfest celebrations, and this year Boulder joins the club. (Denver Post file)

Oktoberfest Boulder

The first annual Oktoberfest Boulder, presented by Paulaner Brewing, will bring the original celebration to Boulder Central Park this weekend, with tons of beer and tradition in tow. There will be cornhole championships, nagelspiel (competitive nailing), keg bowling, gelande quaffing (quite the drinking game that includes throwing beers and drinking them), stein hoisting, live music from traditional German bands as well as Sublime tribute band 40oz to Freedom and Clash tribute band The Nuns of Brixton; noon-11 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Boulder Central Park, 1236 Canyon Blvd., Boulder; free; oktoberfestboulder.com.

Becoming Young and Fruta Brutal perform at the Laughing Goat — These two singer-songwriters, who grew up together in Boulder, form an eclectic duo. Their friendship radiates as they push each other to depths of musical expression with "in the round" mano-a-mano performance style; 8 p.m. Friday, The Laughing Goat, 1709 Pearl St., Boulder; free; bit.ly/2nYnZSQ.

CU Wizards presents "Illusion & Reality: The Science of Perception" — Professor Lew Harvey hosts a free STEAM show where students will learn about how the brain works. Throughout the school year, a different free CU Wizards show will take place once a month on a Saturday morning at University of Colorado Boulder; 9:30 a.m. Saturday, University of Colorado Boulder, Duane Physics G1B30, Boulder; free; 303-492-5011, colorado.edu/cuwizards.

Sensory-friendly concert — Jeff & Paige will host a science- and nature-themed sensory-friendly performance through songs, storytelling and interactive play to engage kids with nature, music and movement. They use costumes and props to create characters and set the scene for concerts that are engaging and educational; 10 a.m. Saturday, The Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder; $10; 303-444-7328, thedairy.org.

Tibetan Village Project Gala for Tibet — The 17th annual Tibetan Village Project Gala is hosted by Naropa president Chuck Lief and the event includes a Tibetan food, wine (and Chang, a Tibetan home-made barely beer), as well as Tibetan music by Tsering, offerings chant by Lama Sonam and a live auction. There will be special guests, a Tibetan circle dance with local Tibetans; 6 p.m. Saturday, Naropa University, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder; eventbrite.com/e/17th-annual-tvp-gala-for-tibet-tickets-47694957903?aff=ebapi.

Boulder's Joey Airola wins in 106s at the Pepsi CenterThe nerves of steel for Boulder freshman Joey Airola didn't match the surroundings, let alone his circumstance. This state wrestling debut was a calm and collected masterpiece. Full Story

The Boulder alt-country band gives its EPs names such as Death and Resurrection, and its songs bear the mark of hard truths and sin. But the punk energy behind the playing, and the sense that it's all in good fun, make it OK to dance to a song like "Death." Full Story